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" After an absence of exactly 10 years, I decided to return to the home of
Karate-Doh,
Okinawa
Japan
– back to the historic home of Okinawa Karate-D oh Goju
Ryu, the Jundokan. Situated in Asato which is a district of Okinawa, the Jundokan remains as
it was when it first opened in 1957 by the late Ei’Ichi Miyazato Hanshi.
I was fortunate to have trained and graded to 4th Dan black
belt (Yondan) directly under Miyazato Sensei when I was last at the Jundokan in
1997. Every day Miyazato Hanshi and
Yasuda Hanshi (10th Dan) was with me on the dojo floor, correcting my
kata and explaining to me the history behind the kata, Goju Ryu in general and
the Jundokan. He was a living legend
and to have that privilege of meeting and training directly under his hand was a
treasure that cannot be matched again.
I planned
my trip such that there would be no other foreigners at the Jundokan except
myself – I wanted ALL the ‘attention’!!
The Jundokan is now under the ownership of the Miyazato Yoshihiro Kancho
the son of the late Miyazato Hanshi. Kancho
was present on the floor at all training sessions and was even besides me when
it was time to clean the dojo floor! These
days most training sessions at the Jundokan are directed by Taira Masaji Sensei
(8th Dan), Kinjo Tsuneo Sensei (8th Dan), Gima Tetsu
Sensei (8th Dan), and on the floor at all sessions are Ganaha Hiroshi
Sensei (7th Dan), Higa Kazuya Sensei (7th Dan) among others. A rare sight these
days is
the appearance of Yasuda Tetsunosuke Shuseki Shihan (10th Dan), and,
upon being called by Miyazato Kancho informing him that I am back at the dojo he
was there in his gi the very next day waiting for me on the floor – he is now
82 years old! An honour that I was immensely proud of.
 The Jundokan is a living museum of Karate-Doh spirit.
This is the very floor and dojo that a young Higaonna Morio Sensei (IOGKF)
perfected his kata, that Miyazato Ei’Ichi Hanshi conducted the very first Goju
Ryu classes after the closure of Miyagi Chojun Sensei’s ‘garden dojo’, and
the very floor that many local and foreign students performed kata over and over
again in order to gain insights into the wonderful world of Okinawan Goju Ryu
Karate-Doh.
After
an initial meeting with Miyazato Kancho in his office, I was informed that the
seniors were very happy to see me again but cannot guarantee that I would be
offered a grading as it had been 10 years since they last saw me!
I explained to them that the reason I could not come again was purely
financial and that the South African currency does not hold strong against the
US dollar BUT assured them that my training did not falter for a moment.
However, I had to prove this to the seniors, and prove it on the floor
– which I would have expected nothing less!
I would like at the outset to make a point of stating that my reason for
going back to
Okinawa
had nothing to do with acquiring any grading – it was purely for training and
restoring ‘old’ bonds – anything else would be a bonus.
The
Jundokan is open for training from the afternoon till late evening.
Most students arrive at about
6pm
and hit the makiwara or go over their kata on their own till
8pm
when Taira Sensei calls for everybody to get together as a class.
For an hour we go through all the kata from Gekisai dai Ichi through to
Superimpei – pausing between kata to explain and go over pertinent sections or
moves. This goes on till about
9pm
and thereafter the students either work again on their own or in pairs till
about
10.30pm
!
 The
first night of training was conducted by Gima Sensei in the absence of Taira
Sensei. I could see that particular
attention was going to be paid to me – exactly what I wanted.
I was asked to perform Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin and Sanseru kata’s,
and afterwards I could see the positive facial expressions on all the sensei
present. However, as I had expected
there were comments on the timing of certain sequences and the distribution of
weight and power of various techniques – good constructive criticism.
We then proceeded to practice kake’ (pushing hands) and lots of ude
tanren (arm conditioning). At about 10.00pm we then cleaned the dojo floor and
headed for a well earned shower Got back to my apartment, which was just around
the corner from the Jundokan, at about 11pm!
I stayed at the excellent Refine Apartment in Asato.
Small but extremely well equipped. Glenn
McIIvride, who is the assistant manager – overseas at the Jundokan kindly
organised my accommodation. He has
been training at the Jundokan for about 12 years and now lives in
Okinawa
. I am grateful for his assistance
in organising the accommodation and being instrumental in sorting out various
things to ensure that my trip was a successful one.
The next day, I went down to the dojo early and had a great one-on-one
session with Higa Kazuya san (7th Dan) and focused on Sesan,
Shisochin and Kururunfa. Higa
Sensei's kata is very sharp and focused. He
was extremely happy with my "fighting spirit" and "good strong kata
base". This was a strong, good
session with Higa Sensei and during the course of my stay, including the day of
my Godan grading; Higa Sensei was always very encouraging.
The students of the Jundokan train everyday for at least 3 hours with such
vigour, enthusiasm and motivation. Taira
Sensei, in my opinion, is a living Samurai.
Watching him perform the Gekisai Kata is truly amazing and inspiring.
He attacks the kata as if he is in a battle a Samurai in full
battle-cry! His knowledge of bunkai
is second to non in the world! He
previously worked in the elite division of the police force and has practiced his
Goju Ryu with realism, in and out the dojo.
I
was informed by Miyazato Kancho that I would "test" on Saturday and that I
had to prepare. Yasuda Hanshi came
down for a few days prior to the grading and ‘drilled’ me on the grading
requirement over and over again. On
one of the days he picked me up at lunch time and took to me to a wonderful
restaurant just outside of
Naha
City
. Kinjo Sensei joined us for an excellent lunch. Thereafter Yasuda Sensei
insisted that he buys my 1 year old son, Saif, a couple of outfits from the
nearby store. Yasuda is a wonderful,
kind man who explained to me on the drive back to
Naha
that his training is now focused on "preparation to die bravely like a
Samurai." I found that attitude to
be overwhelming and so profound. I am proud to have been taught and befriended by such a man.
The
grading was to be conducted after a 2 hour training session for Black Belts
(Yudansha) on the Saturday afternoon. There
were about 14 Black Belts of various grades in attendance and on the grading
panel sat Yasuda Hanshi, Gima Sensei and Miyazato Kancho.
I was asked to perform Tensho kata, followed by Shisochin and Sepai kata.
Without any fanfare the grading was over with the formal bows.
Miyazato Sensei then informed me that we will all be meeting at Taira
Sensei restaurant in Kokusai Dori for a celebration -
I had been promoted to Godan (5th Dan)!
What a wonderful gesture, they had organised platter of snacks, food and
lots of drinks and of course ice tea for me!
During the celebrations, out came the Karaoke machine and Miyazato Kancho
sang the first song followed by Kinjo Sensei and then Miyazato Kancho and his
wife. Then it was my turn, which
after all those that sang before me, I could not refuse.
I must profess that I did not let the house down and did a fair rendition
of Robbie Williams "Feel" which is my wife, Farhana, favourite song.
During my stay I was fortunate to meet with a wonderful couple from
Australia
, Helmut and Miriam Leitner. Helmut,
an ex-Austrian, was t raining
with Higaonna Morio Sensei (IOGKF) at his dojo just down the road from our
apartment. Miriam was an ex-Zimbabwean, so it was good to have the company of
another Southern African. During the
day we travel all around
Okinawa
and in the evening went our separate ways in search of a common goal, Okinawa
Goju Ryu Karate-Doh. The next day we
would compare notes on what the training was at the respective dojo the night
before. We have now become firm
family friends and look forward to the day both Helmut and Miriam visit my home
country and enjoy our hospitality. Helmut
was kind enough to invite me to travel with them to the most Northern point of
Okinawa and then drive back down to
Naha
stopping off at all the various historic sites.
A day that will remain with us forever.
Helmut was 60 years old but had a body and strength that belied his age.
The day I left
Okinawa
, Miriam cooked all my favourite food and had me over for a superb lunch. I am
grateful to have met such a wonderful couple that I can proudly call family.
My stay at the Jundokan was an excellent one.
The night before I left
Okinawa
, Taira Sensei came up to me before the class and said that as it was my last
class, "tonight we check your Goju Ryu Karate-Doh". Surrounded by a number
of senior grades, I was asked to perform all the Goju Ryu Kata, and after each
one it was scrutinised and commented on. At
the end of that session I was drenched with perspiration but it was a truly
magical session. Afterwards Miyazato
Kancho, Taira Sensei and all the other seniors and students wished me well and
said that they look forward to seeing me again next year (the commemoration of
Miyazato Hanshi’s 10th anniversary of his passing).
I left with all my bonds and ties to the Jundokan further strengthened
and endorsed. I thanked all the
seniors and students for their "help" and assistance and took my leave.
I was now keen to get back to my family, my home, my friends, my dojo and my
students.
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